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Lookbook: Neo Dia ‘Stoic Stratum’ Autumn Winter 2012

Today let’s catch up with Neo Dia designers Gavin and Becky to learn more about their Rooney-Mara-worthy ‘Stoic Stratum’ A/W collection;

For this collection you seem to be experimenting with materials (is that mohair and latex I spy?) that you haven’t included in a collection before. Have you had to learn any new techniques?
AW12 was very much about creating and using texture and we wanted to show a tougher more industrial side of the Neo Dia Woman. Along with our “astro turf” and “asphalt” reminicent fabric we also worked with hand knitting mohair. We already had a basic knowledge of knitting, but we also did quite a bit of research and experimenting to develop our own knitting patterns and blocks.

The shiny black fabric is actually patent leather, however, latex is definitely something we have on the cards as a material we would love to experiment with. However there is an entire art to working with Latex and it’s extremely difficult and expensive!

To me, in parts, your winter collection seems to be a little more “relaxed” (in terms of less precision cuts, “simpler” {for you} shapes) than previous collections. Was this a concious decision or an organic one?

It was a concious decision to branch out and experiment with different ideas and inspirations. Our label is still in its infancy and it’s the time when we really should be, and want to be, experimenting with new ideas and truly finding out who we are. We always want to evolve Neo Dia, we want to keep people guessing and to be excited about what we will show next.

Winter 12 was a shift from where we had been before. We definitely moved about from the folding, pleating and origami aspects to our clothing. Our past collections had been so slick and refined and we wanted to dirty it all up a bit, add texture and really play with the idea of our girl being a bit more industrial and less refined.

From anyone in the world, who would you ideally love to see wearing your winter collection?
We would kill to get Cate Blanchett or Tilda Swinton in our emerald Stoic Suit or Arcane Velvet Gown or put anything on Rooney Mara.

Your work revolves heavily around unconventional silhouettes and multi-dimensional shapes. Do you think you’ll ever get tired of being awesome and go “screw it, we just want to make a simple white tee or a little black dress”?

I think even if we did a simple white tee of a LBD there would still be an element of Neo Dia magic hidden in the garments to delight those who wear it, a little internal detail, luxurious fabrics and a killer cut. We analyse every style we do, we always want to make our customers feel exceptional when they wear our clothes.